The Slaughter of the Innocents: A Christmas Story

Christmas is coming, a day when millions worldwide will celebrate the birth of Jesus. Though not typically a part of the traditional Christmas story, you may recall the Biblical account story the wise men providing King Herod with some false information about the birth of the Messiah to force him off the trail, as it were. In Matthew 2: 16-18, we read about a horrible incident referred to as "the Slaughter of the Innocents." It says: "Then Herod, when he saw that he was deceived by the wise men, was exceedingly angry; and he sent forth and put to death all the male children who were in Bethlehem and in all its districts, from two years old and under, according to the time which he had determined from the wise men. Then was fulfilled what was spoken by Jeremiah the prophet, saying: "A voice was heard in Ramah, lamentation, weeping, and great mourning, Rachel weeping for her children, refusing to be comforted because they are no more."

How horribly unthinkable was the slaughter of all those little kids at that Newtown, Connecticut grade school. Families were surely left inconsolable. At times like this, while some are politicizing and crying out for stricter gun laws, others are angered at God, doubting Him, asking, "How could a loving God allow this to happen?" Maybe even you, or someone you know, has been left dazed and confused, saddened and asking "Why?"

We Americans aren't as accustomed to this kind of incident as people are in other parts of the world. That doesn't soften the blow any, but it's true. As a minister, dealing with death has become an occupational necessity. I'd like to try and address some of the questions anybody might be needing answers to.

God created mankind as the most free creature on earth. Although such unbridled liberty should be used to advance God's Kingdom, thereby setting others free, unfortunately, too often, that freedom is abused and we do bad things. Yes, such abuse of our freedom might even include the taking the lives of innocent little children. 

Scripture teaches it's Satan who comes to steal, kill and destroy (John 10:10). The verse goes on to say Jesus came to give us "life and life more abundantly." That alone tells me loud and clear, God did not do this. Truth is, we are also told, "...all things work together for good to those who love God, to those who are the called according to His purpose," Romans 8:28. 

Did you catch that? ALL THINGS work together FOR GOOD. Our sovereign God is a good God. Of course He had the power to stop this senseless slaying of all those kids, just as He had the power to stop King Herod from Slaughtering the Innocents. Obviously, He has a plan and will even turn the worst humanity and Satan have to offer. The fact that baby Jesus was unharmed, hidden from Harod's soldiers sent to slay Him, tells me, even in this Connecticut situation, Jesus - just as He did over 2,000 years ago in Bethlehem - will come onto the scene for the benefit of mankind, regardless of Satan's murderous scheme in Newtown.

THE DEVIL ALWAYS SHOOTS HIMSELF IN THE FOOT!

As Christians, we must passionately detest this kind of thing. Pray for the shooter's family. Imagine what THEIR Christmas will be like! Pray for all those whose lives have been so terribly disrupted by the death or injuring of a loved one. Pray against that Spirit of Violence that has so permeated this nation. Pray over the schools in your town and for our Educators.

God is a Redeemer. He brings dead things back to life. Those children and teachers are with Him and for that we can be thrilled for them. They will live forever. But it's it's not only dead people Jesus has been known to ressurect, it's dead situations. Dead towns. Dead schools. Dead relationships. 

Though I appreciate all the psychologists being interviewed on network news regarding this shooting, in my humble opinion, there are no natural answers to spiritual problems. There really is a devil and he does evil things. We have been given authority over him by Jesus Himself and we'd better start using it. 

Now is a really good time to do what Scripture admonishes us to do and Love One Another. Turn to God, not from Him. Stay close to one another. Talk about the good things we know about God, especially this Christmas season. Encourage one another with the fact that life on planet earth is not "it" for any of us. There's more and it's beyond description!

May the peace of Christ be with you this Christmas Season!

Every blessing,

Michael Tummillo

Founder, The Church @ Work